Position Summary: The DART Early Intervention Preschool Program is seeking a full-time contracted Paraprofessional to work Countywide with a base location in Penn Hills. This is a contracted AIUFT Bargaining Unit positon which offers a competitive slaray and excellent benefits. A Paraprofessional’s role is to increase the quality of instruction to students by performing any instructional or non-instructional tasks required, under the supervision of a certified professional (teacher, therapist, principal, supervisor). Paraprofessionals are not responsible for the design, direction or evaluation of the teaching/learning process.

Center-Based Paraprofessionals: (Employed within 1 of 3 Special Education Centers) Classroom Paraprofessionals are assigned to one specific classroom. Building Paraprofessionals can be placed in up to 3 specific assignments per semester. Building Professionals At Large can be placed in any assignment within a specific building on a daily basis.

District Paraprofessionals: Include all Paraprofessionals employed in other locations, including school district classrooms, DART and Speech/Language classrooms.

Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Assists children to and from the bus at arrival and departure times when program and types of children warrant.

Facilitates personal care services as needed to assist students with activities of daily living necessary for comfort and well-being, including toileting of children.

Assures that all possible measures are taken to assist a child in the event of an emergency until help arrives. This includes notifying the immediate supervisor and/or supervising administrator immediately.

Maintains good housekeeping and follows program health guidelines in the classroom and diaper changing areas. This includes proper storage of materials, supplies and equipment; cleaning chalkboards, tables and chairs as needed; placing desks, tables and chairs in proper order, etc.

Updates attendance records and data collection, as programs require under AIU PA Certified Professional direction, handles and maintains confidentiality as it pertains to special education.

Assists with feeding of students who are unable to feed themselves. In addition, may collect lunch/snack money, submit lunch count information and supervise students in the cafeteria as needed.

Assists students in the use of teaching devices, such as assistive technology devices and computers, and other equipment used for individualized instruction.

Participates in parent/teacher conferences and IEP conferences, as requested.

Interacts and assists in the supervision of students during work-instructed assignments, play activities, and emergency drills according to the standards and policies of the program, in all environments throughout the school day, while under the direct supervision of the AIU PA Certified Professional and/or Administration.

Follows and implements IEPs (including behavioral intervention plans) under the direction of the AIU PA Certified Professional, follows and reinforces the behavioral management system in place and assists the teacher with students who may need physical intervention using accepted procedures (NCI or any other AIU approved procedures).

Attends training as required for performance of job. This may include but is not limited to NCI, CPR, First Aid, Confidentiality, Universal Precautions and various diagnoses.

Accompanies the teacher and students on field trips or community-based instruction during the school day.

1. Associates Degree or equivalent number of college credits (60) or a score of 462 or higher on the ParaPro Exam required.

1-2 years’ experience working with children with special needs strongly preferred.

Training in crisis intervention, CPR and First Aid preferred.

Ability to work as part of the educational team

Strong interpersonal skills.

Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.

Ability to prioritize identified needs of students by following directives of classroom teachers, staff and peers, as well as the goals of the IEP.

Experience working with preschool age children preferred. (DART Program)High school diploma or GED; Business Certificate or other degree from an accredited business school preferred

Experience in office protocol, procedures, and prioritization

Basic level expertise in current Microsoft Office products is required

Experience with printing/duplicating and binding is required

Experience with automated postage systems is preferred

Demonstrated good customer service

Good written/oral communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to travel

Ability to comply with the AIU Conduct policy

Additional Requirements:

Current Act 114, Act 34 and Act 151 required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date). School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340 (8/2011)) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sitting for extended period of time.

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling 35 pounds.

Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies.

Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner.

Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating with limited English speaking customers.

Hearing clearly.

Adequate vision to perform duties.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the Social Worker.

Reports To: Building Principal, Special Education Supervisor, or Supervising PSC